How to Create the Backwards E or the Existential Quantifier (∃) Symbol

Originally used in propositional logic and recently made famous by rap artist Eminem, the backwards E symbol is easy to create from your computer.

The existential quantifier or (∃) symbol has been used in academia for a long time. It is frequently used in set theory and propositional logic. By definition it mean “there exists” when used in this context. Modern culture has been reintroduced to this backwards or turned E symbol as it has been used as a stylistic technique in modern media. The most popular use of the backwards E recently was Eminem (EMINƎM), but the ∃ can be found in multiple other titles and artist names as well.

Creating this backwards E or turned E can be accomplished through multiple methods.

Copy and Paste

First, you can just copy and paste from any location on the web. This works on most social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to copy them from here:

(∃) or (Ǝ).

Once you paste them, delete or backspace over whatever extra content you do not need in addition to the backwards E symbol.

HTML Special Code

If you are trying to use this symbol while building a web page, you can use the special html codes especially created for this process. The first one is the true “there exists” symbol and the second the Latin reversed E that is very similar.

(∃) – &#8707; or &exist;
(Ǝ) – &#398;

Mac

The majority of the applications on your Mac will have access to this symbol through the Special Characters function. From the Edit menu, select Special Characters option. Depending on your version of OS X, your options may be different. Typically, you can find it by scrolling down to pull up the search bar and by typing “there exists” into the search field. Alternatively, it can be found under the math symbols section. Once you find it, click on it to insert it into your text or your can drag it to your text field.

Windows

In all modern Windows versions including XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, you can access the backwards E symbol through the Character Map application. Open your Start menu and search for Character Map. Select it to open the application. Change the font to symbols and you should be able to select and copy ∃ from there.

David Kirk is one of the original founders of tech-recipes and is currently serving as editor-in-chief. Not only has he been crafting tutorials for over ten years, but in his other life he also enjoys taking care of critically ill patients as an ICU physician.View more articles by David Kirk